"We enjoy visiting Burton's M&S. If we were in Derby now it would be packed.

"We'd be very disappointed if it went."

Ron said: "People from the older generation swear by it - it's got a good name.

"I think we'd still come to Burton if it closed, but it's a big draw for us.

"I think the internet's the reason why they're closing the stores.

"But we're dinosaurs who haven't got a clue about it.

"I like to see things before I buy them."

More about M&S' plans

M&S will close 85 clothes and 25 food stores in the next five years - but this morning's announcement also outlined plans to open 20 new clothes and 75 food stores in their place.

Also affected could be the Simply Food outlet, in Ashby, but a list of branches that will close has not been released yet.

The department store will also be looking at changing its clothing ranges and other products, as well as re-introducing its "Per Una" range.

Marks & Spencer chief executive Steve Rowe said: "We are deep into the first phase of our transformation programme and continue to make good progress restoring the basics and fixing many of the legacy issues we face."

The news comes less than a year after M&S announced another 35 store closures.